Learn how to make soft Roti or Chapati, the famous Indian bread staple for North India. But later, it became the everyday food for the rest of India.
Over the past few decades, doctors advised including wheat and rice. Roti is a fiber-rich food and has to be served with spicy gravy and curry.
This soft roti is our dinner dish I make almost every other day. This Indian food recipe is straightforward, and the ingredients are minimal and almost available in all kitchens across the globe. The elements are universal, and everyone can get them from the stores.
How to make soft roti? The making, the process, and the ingredient list sound very simple. But getting soft roti is not easy; it needs lots of practice and tips.
I do not want to threaten you much about getting the right results. We are here, and you can make the softest roti in the world with the tips and secrets shared in this post.
What is Roti?
Roti, or chapati, is an unleavened flatbread made with whole wheat flour. Generally made with whole wheat flour called 'Aata' locally in India. To say precisely, it is called chapati in South India.
What does this taste like?
This roti is plain and does not have a strong flavor. It tastes plain, like a thin wheat tortilla bread. But these are very soft and melt in your mouth. Since the roti bread recipe is basic and subtle, any spicy curry or gravy would be the perfect pair to serve with.
How to make soft roti with modern equipment
A simple homemade roti recipe does not need fancy equipment for making. How to make soft roti? You need a rolling pin, a baseboard, and a pan. But if your wallet permits, some excellent equipment is available in the market now to ease the making of soft roti.
I know a friend who makes the roti dough in the kitchen aid mixer, and she stores it for a week. A food processor is also a good machine for kneading the dough.
Tortilla press or Indian roti maker is famous for pressing dough-like circles.
Make-ahead idea
You may knead the dough well in advance. Generally, resting the dough from 30 minutes to 2 hours makes the roti soft.
If you want to make it ahead, knead the dough well, coat it with a teaspoon of cooking oil, and cover it with a clean cotton kitchen towel.
Applying cooking oil and covering it with a kitchen towel helps retain the dough's moisture content, making it pliable while spreading.
Storing ideas
You can also make roti well in advance for up to 3 days before the day of serving. To store, always use an airtight container and cover the roti with a soft cloth to trap the moisture.
You may use hot packs of casseroles for storing for a day. You may leave it on the kitchen counter for single-day use.
Can we keep chapati in the fridge?
Yes, You may refrigerate roti to use for up to 4 days. To store for over a day, use freezer-friendly zip lock covers, glass containers, and other food-grade plastic containers. And freeze to use for up to 3 months.
How to reheat roti?
You cannot reheat the roti just like you do for other food dishes. You may use the stovetop, oven, or microwave method to reheat. Thaw the roti before reheating, or adjust the temperature and time described below.
Stovetop
When using a stovetop, heat a flat-surfaced pan. Place a single roti, sprinkle a few drops of water, and flip it to the other side. Sprinkle a few drops of water on the other side as well. Use a water sprayer for best results. Follow this procedure for the remaining roti.
Oven
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit when using the range for reheating. Use the sheet pan, and place each roti with a gap between them. Cook for about approximately 2 minutes or until it gets cooked thoroughly.
Microwave
This method is suitable to use to consume immediately. Otherwise, the microwave makes the roti hard and chewy.
Why is my roti so hard?
The thickness of the dough makes the roti harder. Then how to make soft roti? The dough is easily pliable for making soft roti. You can test the dough before spreading it.
To test, take a small lemon-sized portion of dough. And keep it between your palms. Try rolling them to make balls. You should make the ball, look into it.
- The dough is thicker if the ball is not uniform or has cracks on the sides. Then, sprinkle a little water on the remaining dough and start kneading.
- If the dough sticks between the hands, then the dough is watery. To solve this, sprinkle whole wheat flour at a time and start kneading again.
How do you keep Rotis soft?
To keep the roti soft for a longer time, always store them in an airtight container by covering them with a kitchen cloth, cheesecloth, or cotton towel. This traps the moisture created while storing and retains the chapati softer. You may also apply clarified butter to store the roti soft longer. And this is the traditional way that has been followed for a century.
Why are my chapatis chewy?
The quality of the whole wheat flour decides the texture of the roti. So always use a good quality ingredient to get better results. Alternatively, chapatis tend to become chewy when it is not stored properly or made properly. Follow all the tips that we have discussed here for making and storing to make the roti soft like soft tissue.
Which Atta is good for health?
'Atta' is the whole wheat flour, and staple food of North Indian for thousands of years. Which denotes that it is good for health. So the answer to how to make soft roti would be to use whole wheat flour for making soft roti. When buying whole wheat flour, make sure the package says, it is 100% whole wheat flour.
Wish to know my favorite sides for hot roti, yummmm..try these recipes as well, Malai Kofta, Bindi Masala, Aloo Palak, Cottage Cheese Paneer Masala.
Other spicy dinner recipes
Printable recipe card
How to make soft Roti
Ingredients
- 11/2 cup whole wheat flour
- ½ cup water
- ½ teaspoon salt or as required
- 4 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix wheat flour, salt, and water. Add water little by little, as it should get watery.
- Mix it with water and knead it well till it becomes a soft smooth round ball, which should not stick to the sides of the vessel.
- Make into small balls approximately to the 2 inches in diameter.
- With the help of rolling pin, spread it gently into a thin flat circle.
- Heat a flat surface pan on the stove. And place wheat thin on the hot pan.
- Cook both the side until brown spots visible.
- Drizzle a teaspoon of cooking oil on both the sides of the roti.
- Serve roti hot.
Notes
2. Stuff some dry, cooked veggies, sprinkle some tomato sauce and serve as a roll for the kiddos.
Nutrition
Do not forget to check out another side dish recipe for roti, potato Kurma here in PepperBowl
Tips and Variations for how to make soft roti:
1. Add mashed potatoes or avocados, chili powder, and cumin powder for parathas.
2. The dough should be soft and not watery. Leave them for 30min -45min for softer chapatis.
3. Add lukewarm water for kneading; it brings out much softer chapatis.
Do not miss the latest recipes and tips; follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, ad Instagram
Saif
I love roti. When I ordered indian foods in a restaurant, I always make sure that I include Roti in my dish. It's so delicious which is a must try.
Jac
Oh perfect! This is just what I need as I am making Dahl tonight
Kate
This soft roti was so good, and so quick!
Dannii
This was perfectly soft. Perfect for scooping up curry.
Chenee
Thank you so much for the tips! I'm excited to try this one out!